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Waytha queries Azmin on goat herder being ‘harassed’

The Menteri Besar should ensure that his government made opportunities available to all citizens in Selangor irrespective of their origin, creed or class.

SHAH ALAM: Hindraf Makkal Sakthi, an ad hoc human rights NGO, has cautioned Menteri Besar Azmin Ali against lapsing into the “sapu bersih” (clean sweep) “opportunistic” policies of the Umno government instead of ensuring that his government made opportunities available to all citizens in Selangor irrespective of their origin, creed or class.

Hindraf Chairman P Waythamoorthy was bringing to Azmin’s attention, for the second time since November 16 last year, that the Veterinary Department under the Selangor Government was harassing a successful goat-herder into giving up her enterprise in favour of an unnamed individual.

Waytha, a human rights advocate and senior lawyer in private practice, was drawing Azmin’s attention to the plight of Madam Regina Mary who, ironically, was recently awarded the “Anugareh Tokoh Wanita Cemerlang” by the Selangor Government for her entrepreneur skills in livestock breeding. “The Veterinary Department is acting in a discriminatory manner towards Madam Regina with the calculated aim of evicting her from her goat farm on Plot PT 3, Padang Ragut Sg Jang, Kerling, Hulu Selangor,” said Hindraf in a follow-up letter.

In an earlier letter dated November 16, 2015, reminded Waytha, Hindraf had written to the Selangor Menteri Besar to complain about “the attitude of the Selangor Government including its Veterinary Department.”

“They indiscriminately demolished a successful business venture of Regina and her sister, both successful businesswomen.”

Waytha also wanted to bring to public attention that apart from Azmin writing to the State Veterinary Department and the State Land and Mining Department seeking explanations, nothing has happened. “There has been no official reply from the Menteri Besar, only a copy of his letter to the two departments.”

Briefly, said Waytha, three men in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle visited Regina on March 25, 2016. “They claimed to be from the Veterinary Department but did not show any identification paper. Their vehicles were unmarked.”

The men, said the Hindraf Chief, claimed that the land occupied by Regina had been given to one of them. “She was told to vacate the land by their next visit, failing which they would burn down the goat pen and chicken coop.”

This is a serious criminal act if indeed the officers present were from the Veterinary Department, continued Waytha. “It indicates the Selangor Government and its apparatus and/or departments are resorting to unlawful and criminal acts and bullying.”

“Police reports have been lodged to ensure Regina’s security. However, it appears that even the police are refusing to investigate, arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.